Lot 185: William Edmondson Sculpture, Lady with a Bustle

William Edmondson (American/Tennessee, 1874-1951) carved limestone sculpture depicting a standing woman with well-defined, shoulder-length hair who wears a dress or apron with a bustle and short train in back, visible shoes, and a necklace or banded collar. She carries a small handbag in her right hand. 13 3/8″ H x 5″ W x 7″ D. Note: This sculpture was acquired through Myron King, owner of Lyzon Gallery in Nashville, which represented Edmondson prior to and for many years after his death. For at least the past forty years, it has been in the same Middle Tennessee family collection as The Preacher, an Edmondson sculpture auctioned by Case in 2020. Unlike the “Preacher,” which had been in at least two museum exhibitions, this “Lady” sculpture has never been publicly exhibited until now. Artist biography: William Edmondson, the first African American artist to have a solo exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, was born in Davidson County, Tennessee. The son of freed slaves, he worked most of his life as a railroad employee and janitor. A spiritual experience at the age of 57 prompted him to begin sculpting limestone, and he credited divine inspiration for the works produced during his 17-year art career. In the 1930s, his work caught the attention of Professor Sidney Hirsch, who worked at Peabody College in Nashville, located just a few blocks from where Edmondson lived. Professor Hirsch is credited with introducing Edmondson to well-connected arts patrons Alfred and Elizabeth Starr and Harper’s Bazaar photographer Louise Dahl-Wolfe. Wolfe’s now-famous photographs of Edmondson and his yard full of limestone sculptures brought him to the attention of the New York art world and gained him the acquaintance of Alfred Barr, Jr., director of the Museum of Modern Art, resulting in the landmark 1937 exhibit. Although Edmondson’s earliest work was more utilitarian in nature, such as tombstones and birdbaths, as his style matured his subject matter grew to include Biblical figures, various animals, and female figures, frequently based on women he knew from his community.

PROVENANCE: Private Middle Tennessee Collection.

CONDITION: Very good condition. Slight wear/erosion to base, some natural patination to stone.